Authentic Italian Salad Dressing

_{For Delicious Salads and Beyond}

by Diana Rattray

This is the perfect Italian salad dressing for everyday use, and it is super easy to throw together. I use red wine vinegar, but white wine vinegar is fine, and if all you have is apple cider vinegar, feel free to use that. The dressing is not fussy at all! The dressing is flavored with dried herbs, fresh garlic (or garlic powder), and a little mustard. I sometimes add Parmesan cheese, but that’s optional.Making the dressing is a breeze, just add everything to a mason jar, put a lid on it, and shake! You could use a cruet or simply whisk it in a small bowl. It’s that easy!

I like making it in small amounts like this. It’s enough for 2 or 3 salads, and it doesn’t get lost in the back of the fridge for days or weeks.

Caution!

Fresh garlic is an excellent choice if you plan on using the dressing within 3 to 4 days, but if you want to store it for a longer period of time, replace the fresh garlic with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.

How to Use Italian Salad Dressing

Italian salad dressing can be used for more than just salads. Here are a few ideas:
Marinating: Italian dressing makes a fantastic marinade for chicken, steak, and pork. Combine the meat and salad dressing in a container or zip-close bag and marinate it in the fridge for a few hours before grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
Vegetables: Toss vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and summer squash in Italian salad dressing before roasting or grilling.
Pasta Salad: Italian dressing is a great choice for pasta salads, such as my favorite tortellini salad. Toss the cooled pasta, herbs, cheese, and vegetables with Italian dressing for a quick and refreshing summer salad.
Dipping Sauce: Italian dressing makes a tasty dipping sauce for breadsticks, vegetable dippers, even wings.
Potatoes: Toss roasted potatoes with Italian salad dressing and grated Parmesan for a unique flavor twist.
Sandwiches: Use Italian dressing as a spread on sandwiches in place or mayo or mustard.
Tuna Salad: Add a teaspoon or so to your regular tuna or chicken salad for a zesty flavor.

Is red wine vinegar alcoholic?

Red wine vinegar probably does include a trace amount of alcohol. During the fermentation process, most of the alcohol evaporates. It isn’t considered an alcohol product, but it can contain anywhere from 0.1 to 2 percent or so.

Variations

Spicy Italian Dressing: Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or Calabrian pepper.
Lemony Dressing: Replace 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Herbs: Replace the basil and oregano with 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of an Italian herb blend.
Honey: For a touch of sweetness, add a teaspoon or two of honey.
Balsamic Vinegar: For a sweet and tangy flavor, add 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar along with the wine vinegar.
Sugar Alternative: Instead of granulated sugar, use a sugar replacement, such as allulose.
Creamy: Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise to the dressing for a slightly creamy version.
Pesto: add a tablespoon of homemade or store-bought pesto for a stronger herb flavor.
Greek-Style: Add a few teaspoons of crumbled feta and 2 teaspoons of chopped kalamata olives for a Mediterranean twist.

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